Yep, I called you all ‘designers’. That is because each time you create something, you ARE the designer. Maybe you don’t think you have an ounce of scrapbooking designer in you and you have to borrow (scraplift) ideas from others. Or maybe you are so fabulous that you probably could be published in next month’s issue of Creating Keepsakes or Simple Scrapbooks. Either way, we all want our pages to look great.
Recently I have been using ’sketches’ to create my pages. What is a scrapbooking sketch? It is an outline of how to layout your scrapbooking pages. Sometimes a sketch just tells you where to put a title or pictures. Other times, it gives you everything you need (including scrapbooking supplies), except the photos. Now that I have begun using sketches, I am loving how my pages and projects turn out! Oh, and another thing I love, you can get these sketches for free all over the internet.
Below I have listed some of my favorite sites for sketches. My “Layout of the Week” was also created using a sketch.
1.) Little Book of Sketches (www.littlebookofsketches.blogspot.com/) - This site is great because there are sketches for 12×12 and 8.5×11. There are also sketches for 6×6 and 8×8 page layouts (single and double). You can also use their cards and tags sketches.
2.) Creating Keepsakes (www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mag/sketches/) - Becky Higgins' fun, simple, and creative style works for the seasoned as well as beginning scrapbooker.
3.) Scrap Maps (www.scrap-maps.com/) - A site devoted only to sketches with several hundreds to choose from.
4.) Scrapjazz Sketches (www.scrapjazz.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=807) - They have a new sketch each month and scrapbookers send in their take on the sketch. Not only do you get to see the sketch, but you get lots of ideas for creating it yourself.
5.) Queen Geek Sketches (www.scrapforums.com/gallery/index.php?cat=687) - Great sketches by a fellow scrapbooker!
6.) The Scrap Witch Sketch Challenges (www.scrapwitch.com.au/community/mediagallery/album.php?aid=18&page=1) - Join their scrap challenge each month using their sketches and win a prize. Or just check out what others have done.
7.) Scrap Dreamer (www.scrapbookdreamer.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=591) - Their sketches for tags are amazing!
8.) Digital Scrapbook Place (www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=544) - Lots of different entries - makes for several different styles.
9.) Pencil Lines (www.pencillines.com/) - The international sketch challenge blog. Not just great sketches here. I love the finished pages to give you even more ideas for scrapping. ,
10.) Scrappin’ Stuff (www.scrappinstuff.com/sketches/index.htm) - View sketches and the layouts scrappers have created using those sketches.
11.) 3 Scrapateers (www.3scrapateers.com/gallerypp/showgallery.php/cat/572) - I love the updated style of many of these sketches and the wide variety of photo sizes.
Want to see some more great sketches, but hate searching the web? Check out these great books of sketches: Creative Sketches for Scrapbooking by Becky Higgins ($14.95), Quick & Easy Sketches for Scrapbookers ($19.99), and Creative Sketches Volume 2 by Becky Higgins (14.50).
I hope you all can save yourself time and come up with fabulous pages using sketches (or maybe you can create some sketches yourself - please share them with me if you do!).
Robin M. King is a photographer and long-time scrapbooker. She is a contributer to ScrapbookFinds.com, a comparison shopping tool for scrapbooking supplies. Read her ScrapBlog and “Ask Robin” questions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Michelle_King
Thursday, September 20, 2007
How to Draw Fantasy Creatures
Drawing fantasy creatures takes some skills that go beyond the normal realm of drawing because you can’t find a subject to pose for you – unless you live in an enchanted forest! So you are faced with not only the task of learning how to draw you are also faced with the challenge of tapping into your imagination and then putting this down on paper. Here are some solid tips that will help you imagine and draw better fantasy creatures.
How to Tap into your Imagination
Doodling and drawing with a free style is the best way to get your creativity and imagination flowing. The process to follow is to simply draw quick sketches and then modify them as things start to appear. It goes something like this: Draw a roughly human shaped head then start to add a body to it but don’t consciously make it a human body, vary your lines and see where it goes. You will be surprised by what happens. Your eye will start to see things in a different way and you will create some fantastic creatures. These should only be quick sketches and you should draw lots of them – fill the sheet of paper and see where the drawings go. This is a great way to come up with the initial idea for a new fantasy creature.
Changing the shape of existing creatures and animals – Many of the most familiar fantasy creatures are variations of familiar animals. A Unicorn is a variation of a horse and a Dragon is a variation of a Dinosaur. Think of other creatures and doodle their rough shape while thinking up variations. What would a cat look like if it had scales instead of fur? Or how about a Giraffe with short legs?
The Power of Combining Animals – this is a very powerful way to create new fantasy creatures and Greek Mythology is loaded with this kind of beast. A Centaur is half man and half horse; and a mermaid is half woman and half fish. The possibilities are endless and when you are doodling out ideas don’t limit yourself to just upper and lower body combinations. Try combining limbs, torsos, heads, hands, feet or anything else that strikes you.
The creative power of distortion – Often times fantasy creatures are distortions of humans or other animals. Think of your drawing as a lump of clay that you can mold into any shape. Distort the arms, legs, torso, head or anything else. This will reap some great results. If you draw a human that is very skinny with an oversized head you are heading toward something goblin-like. And if you draw a human that is very thick and stocky you might be heading toward a Troll or Ogre.
Here are a couple of unusual ways to tap into your imagination and create unusual fantasy creatures. Try making an unusual sound then try to draw the creature or beast that would make that sound. Or write out a description in words for your beast then try to draw it. These two techniques bring other parts of your brain into the process not just your hand-eye coordination.
The Mechanics of How to Draw Better Fantasy Creatures
Everything relates to human anatomy – If you practice drawing people you will get much better at drawing fantasy creatures. The same basic rules of musculature and skeletal understructure apply to all biological creatures – even made up ones. Remember: Skin or fur is something that covers muscles and bones but don’t completely hide it. The bones and muscles show through. So draw more people and your fantasy creatures will improve.
Draw more existing creatures - Fantasy creatures are almost always variations of creatures and animals that already exist. If you want to draw a dragon you should think about and look at pictures of dinosaurs and large lizards. If you want to draw a unicorn you should use a horse as your model. And there are many variations on the human form. If you want to draw a dwarf, an elf or a goblin you can use the human form as a perfect starting point. The important thing to remember is that the more horses you draw the better your unicorns will be and the more dinosaurs you draw the better your dragons will be. And the best thing about this is that you can easily find pictures of horses and dinosaurs to look at while you draw.
Use your drawing tools for more expression – When drawing a creature you have to think of its disposition. Is it a gentle creature or a mean creature? Use your pencil in a way that expresses this. Dark, bold and sharp lines are usually better when drawing angry or scary creatures and soft lines are usually better for gentle, mythical creatures. This is something that is often overlooked but it is very important. You are using your pencil in a way that goes beyond just drawing lines. And this applies to a whole spectrum of techniques including short lines, long lines, choppy lines and even shading.
Don’t hesitate to look at and copy other peoples work. Carefully looking at other fantasy work will improve your work dramatically. When doing a copy you are forced to see things you wouldn’t normally see and this is a great way to learn how to do it yourself. – Just don’t claim the creature as your own.
Keep a sketch and doodle book and work in it often. This is something that works real well for me because looking over many pages of doodles you have done in the past will often inspire new ideas for drawings of creatures. Drawing fantasy creatures is a challenging yet rewarding hobby. It has the dual benefit of improving your ability to draw while cultivating your creativity and imagination. With a bit of practice and an understanding of these basic tips you will be drawing some amazing fantasy creatures in no time at all.
Will Kalif is a writer and artist of fantasy. If you would like to learn more about drawing fantasy and medieval creations check out his free fantasy art school at:The Fantasy Art School
Or you can visit his site devoted to fantasy, creativity, and all things medieval on the web at: Storm The Castle.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Kalif
How to Tap into your Imagination
Doodling and drawing with a free style is the best way to get your creativity and imagination flowing. The process to follow is to simply draw quick sketches and then modify them as things start to appear. It goes something like this: Draw a roughly human shaped head then start to add a body to it but don’t consciously make it a human body, vary your lines and see where it goes. You will be surprised by what happens. Your eye will start to see things in a different way and you will create some fantastic creatures. These should only be quick sketches and you should draw lots of them – fill the sheet of paper and see where the drawings go. This is a great way to come up with the initial idea for a new fantasy creature.
Changing the shape of existing creatures and animals – Many of the most familiar fantasy creatures are variations of familiar animals. A Unicorn is a variation of a horse and a Dragon is a variation of a Dinosaur. Think of other creatures and doodle their rough shape while thinking up variations. What would a cat look like if it had scales instead of fur? Or how about a Giraffe with short legs?
The Power of Combining Animals – this is a very powerful way to create new fantasy creatures and Greek Mythology is loaded with this kind of beast. A Centaur is half man and half horse; and a mermaid is half woman and half fish. The possibilities are endless and when you are doodling out ideas don’t limit yourself to just upper and lower body combinations. Try combining limbs, torsos, heads, hands, feet or anything else that strikes you.
The creative power of distortion – Often times fantasy creatures are distortions of humans or other animals. Think of your drawing as a lump of clay that you can mold into any shape. Distort the arms, legs, torso, head or anything else. This will reap some great results. If you draw a human that is very skinny with an oversized head you are heading toward something goblin-like. And if you draw a human that is very thick and stocky you might be heading toward a Troll or Ogre.
Here are a couple of unusual ways to tap into your imagination and create unusual fantasy creatures. Try making an unusual sound then try to draw the creature or beast that would make that sound. Or write out a description in words for your beast then try to draw it. These two techniques bring other parts of your brain into the process not just your hand-eye coordination.
The Mechanics of How to Draw Better Fantasy Creatures
Everything relates to human anatomy – If you practice drawing people you will get much better at drawing fantasy creatures. The same basic rules of musculature and skeletal understructure apply to all biological creatures – even made up ones. Remember: Skin or fur is something that covers muscles and bones but don’t completely hide it. The bones and muscles show through. So draw more people and your fantasy creatures will improve.
Draw more existing creatures - Fantasy creatures are almost always variations of creatures and animals that already exist. If you want to draw a dragon you should think about and look at pictures of dinosaurs and large lizards. If you want to draw a unicorn you should use a horse as your model. And there are many variations on the human form. If you want to draw a dwarf, an elf or a goblin you can use the human form as a perfect starting point. The important thing to remember is that the more horses you draw the better your unicorns will be and the more dinosaurs you draw the better your dragons will be. And the best thing about this is that you can easily find pictures of horses and dinosaurs to look at while you draw.
Use your drawing tools for more expression – When drawing a creature you have to think of its disposition. Is it a gentle creature or a mean creature? Use your pencil in a way that expresses this. Dark, bold and sharp lines are usually better when drawing angry or scary creatures and soft lines are usually better for gentle, mythical creatures. This is something that is often overlooked but it is very important. You are using your pencil in a way that goes beyond just drawing lines. And this applies to a whole spectrum of techniques including short lines, long lines, choppy lines and even shading.
Don’t hesitate to look at and copy other peoples work. Carefully looking at other fantasy work will improve your work dramatically. When doing a copy you are forced to see things you wouldn’t normally see and this is a great way to learn how to do it yourself. – Just don’t claim the creature as your own.
Keep a sketch and doodle book and work in it often. This is something that works real well for me because looking over many pages of doodles you have done in the past will often inspire new ideas for drawings of creatures. Drawing fantasy creatures is a challenging yet rewarding hobby. It has the dual benefit of improving your ability to draw while cultivating your creativity and imagination. With a bit of practice and an understanding of these basic tips you will be drawing some amazing fantasy creatures in no time at all.
Will Kalif is a writer and artist of fantasy. If you would like to learn more about drawing fantasy and medieval creations check out his free fantasy art school at:The Fantasy Art School
Or you can visit his site devoted to fantasy, creativity, and all things medieval on the web at: Storm The Castle.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Kalif
Drawing The Human Figure - Tips For Beginners
Figure drawing is challenging. The act of rendering the human form accurately on paper can be intimidating and frustrating if you try to tackle everything all at once. It is for this reason that you should take things one-step at a time and most importantly, practice! The following article will provide you with some of the basics for understanding how to approach your next figure drawing project.
The very first thing you will need obviously is your drawing supplies. Drawing does not have to be a very expensive art form. You can get started with a pencil and paper if you so desire, but there are certain supplies that will produce better results. It is quite difficult to recommend the perfect materials as every artist is different and therefore will have different preferences. Only time and experience will tell you what materials work best for your particular style. Your choice of materials will also depend on the chosen subject matter.
The best advice would be to get a variety of different pencils and papers and simply experiment. You will eventually come to like certain materials over others. Get your self a pad of newsprint paper. Newsprint paper is fairly inexpensive and excellent for practice drawings, although you should not expect these drawing to last very long. They will more than likely yellow over time.
For your permanent drawings, a good quality paper is recommended. Strathmore is a good brand to look into. You may want to start with a medium textured paper as it has enough "tooth" to hold a fair amount of medium, but smooth enough to allow for detailed work. You will also need a good size drawing board that is smooth and flat for your drawing surface.
Before you even lift a pencil, you should have a basic understanding of human anatomy. When you study anatomy, you will learn more about the construction of the human body and its proportions. You will also have a basic understanding of the muscles and tendons and how they direct and control the body. There is no need to get carried away and memorize every muscle, bone, and tendon in the human body; just a fundamental understanding should suffice.
Getting the proportions correct in your figure drawing is one of the biggest challenges you will face as a beginner. It is for this reason that a unit of measurement was established using the models head. This is the distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin. 7 ½ to 8 heads is the standard measurement that has been developed for the height of an erect figure. This measurement can vary depending on the subject so you may have to make adjustments to your figure drawing. You should realize that the measurement of 7 ½ heads corresponds to the figure when it is standing erect. If the pose of your figure changes, adjustments will obviously have to be made.
Artists will often use a pencil to take the head measurement. Stand a reasonable distance from your subject. Grab your pencil from the bottom as if you were holding a hammer and extend your arm out fully in front of you toward the subject. Try and keep your head as still as possible. Make certain that you are standing in the same spot each time you take measurements. Now closing one eye match the tip of the pencil with the top of the subjects head. Place your thumb on the pencil and slide it down until it matches with the bottom of the subjects chin. You now have taken the "head" measurement of your subject, which will now serve as a reference for measuring the rest of your subject.
When deciding on the type of pose for your figure drawing make sure you choose one that looks natural. Your model will be holding his or her pose for a long period of time and should be comfortable and relaxed. Give your model adequate time to move around and get settled. The more relaxed and natural the pose, the more believable the final drawing or painting will be. If your model looks uncomfortable or awkward, your painting or drawing will reflect that as well.
There are number of different lighting situations that you can create for your figure drawing or painting. Will you be working indoors or outdoors? If indoors, will you be working in a room that has natural sunlight or will you be using artificial light? What direction will the light source come from? Will there be multiple light sources? If you are a beginner, you may want to create a lighting effect that strikes your model from only one direction and illuminates your figure only partially, thereby creating more shadow. This will make for a much easier figure drawing. As you gain more experience, you can then move on to more complex lighting effects.
When you begin your drawing, you should not be overly concerned with getting every detail correct in your figure or other objects that make up your drawing. Many beginners fall into this trap and ultimately wind up with a drawing that is out of proportion or that just looks wrong. Study your subject, squint your eyes and try to locate the basic shapes that make up your subject.
Figure drawing and painting is a vast subject and this article only touches on some of the basics. You should definitely take classes or workshops and practice your figure drawing with live models. Purchase a few good books on figure drawing and anatomy. Join discussion groups and ask questions. Most importantly though, keep practicing and never give up.
For more information on drawing the figure, head over to http://www.creativespotlite.com/figure-portrait.htm
today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Serpe
The very first thing you will need obviously is your drawing supplies. Drawing does not have to be a very expensive art form. You can get started with a pencil and paper if you so desire, but there are certain supplies that will produce better results. It is quite difficult to recommend the perfect materials as every artist is different and therefore will have different preferences. Only time and experience will tell you what materials work best for your particular style. Your choice of materials will also depend on the chosen subject matter.
The best advice would be to get a variety of different pencils and papers and simply experiment. You will eventually come to like certain materials over others. Get your self a pad of newsprint paper. Newsprint paper is fairly inexpensive and excellent for practice drawings, although you should not expect these drawing to last very long. They will more than likely yellow over time.
For your permanent drawings, a good quality paper is recommended. Strathmore is a good brand to look into. You may want to start with a medium textured paper as it has enough "tooth" to hold a fair amount of medium, but smooth enough to allow for detailed work. You will also need a good size drawing board that is smooth and flat for your drawing surface.
Before you even lift a pencil, you should have a basic understanding of human anatomy. When you study anatomy, you will learn more about the construction of the human body and its proportions. You will also have a basic understanding of the muscles and tendons and how they direct and control the body. There is no need to get carried away and memorize every muscle, bone, and tendon in the human body; just a fundamental understanding should suffice.
Getting the proportions correct in your figure drawing is one of the biggest challenges you will face as a beginner. It is for this reason that a unit of measurement was established using the models head. This is the distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin. 7 ½ to 8 heads is the standard measurement that has been developed for the height of an erect figure. This measurement can vary depending on the subject so you may have to make adjustments to your figure drawing. You should realize that the measurement of 7 ½ heads corresponds to the figure when it is standing erect. If the pose of your figure changes, adjustments will obviously have to be made.
Artists will often use a pencil to take the head measurement. Stand a reasonable distance from your subject. Grab your pencil from the bottom as if you were holding a hammer and extend your arm out fully in front of you toward the subject. Try and keep your head as still as possible. Make certain that you are standing in the same spot each time you take measurements. Now closing one eye match the tip of the pencil with the top of the subjects head. Place your thumb on the pencil and slide it down until it matches with the bottom of the subjects chin. You now have taken the "head" measurement of your subject, which will now serve as a reference for measuring the rest of your subject.
When deciding on the type of pose for your figure drawing make sure you choose one that looks natural. Your model will be holding his or her pose for a long period of time and should be comfortable and relaxed. Give your model adequate time to move around and get settled. The more relaxed and natural the pose, the more believable the final drawing or painting will be. If your model looks uncomfortable or awkward, your painting or drawing will reflect that as well.
There are number of different lighting situations that you can create for your figure drawing or painting. Will you be working indoors or outdoors? If indoors, will you be working in a room that has natural sunlight or will you be using artificial light? What direction will the light source come from? Will there be multiple light sources? If you are a beginner, you may want to create a lighting effect that strikes your model from only one direction and illuminates your figure only partially, thereby creating more shadow. This will make for a much easier figure drawing. As you gain more experience, you can then move on to more complex lighting effects.
When you begin your drawing, you should not be overly concerned with getting every detail correct in your figure or other objects that make up your drawing. Many beginners fall into this trap and ultimately wind up with a drawing that is out of proportion or that just looks wrong. Study your subject, squint your eyes and try to locate the basic shapes that make up your subject.
Figure drawing and painting is a vast subject and this article only touches on some of the basics. You should definitely take classes or workshops and practice your figure drawing with live models. Purchase a few good books on figure drawing and anatomy. Join discussion groups and ask questions. Most importantly though, keep practicing and never give up.
For more information on drawing the figure, head over to http://www.creativespotlite.com/figure-portrait.htm
today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Serpe
Sketching a Car Without Getting a Headache
Yes many of us have made attempts on sketching that dream car of ours, and more often than not it has made us frustrated that it looks not even close to what we had in our mind. I finally learned to get the right proportions and make the sketches not look like it was a pile of garbage and instead make them look like a Cadillac, Shelby, Corvette, Ferrari or whatever I try to sketch.
What you need to do is to look at the outward lines of the car, try to get a shape by simply trying to sketch a few lines. Then compare that to your reference car and simply fine tune the lines little by little without erasing the old lines.
My best advise is to leave the wheels while you are sketching the lines of the cars. Why you may ask, well simply because the wheels are usually the hardest part of car sketches. Then when you are starting to get satisfied with the general shape of the car-sketch, try adding the wheels. But don’t be surprised if getting the wheels correct takes longer time than the the whole car!
How long does it take to do a good car sketch then? Well it is very different, depending on how the perspective of the car is. Usually getting the right proportions should take between 1-3hours. Then fine tuning it is what take lot of time, I can spend easily 10 hours on a car sketch before starting to shade it! So it all depends on how much patience and time you want to spend on this sketch of you dreamcar!
The kind of pencils I use is different, but try some and you will probably find the one you feels most comfortable with and then go with that. And remember to not be afraid of using the eraser!
Lukas Niklasson is the associated editor to the website http://www.autodrawings.net. It is a website that focus on car drawings of all sorts. It get updated regurarly with new drawings and interesting information regarding car artwork.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lukas_Niklasson
What you need to do is to look at the outward lines of the car, try to get a shape by simply trying to sketch a few lines. Then compare that to your reference car and simply fine tune the lines little by little without erasing the old lines.
My best advise is to leave the wheels while you are sketching the lines of the cars. Why you may ask, well simply because the wheels are usually the hardest part of car sketches. Then when you are starting to get satisfied with the general shape of the car-sketch, try adding the wheels. But don’t be surprised if getting the wheels correct takes longer time than the the whole car!
How long does it take to do a good car sketch then? Well it is very different, depending on how the perspective of the car is. Usually getting the right proportions should take between 1-3hours. Then fine tuning it is what take lot of time, I can spend easily 10 hours on a car sketch before starting to shade it! So it all depends on how much patience and time you want to spend on this sketch of you dreamcar!
The kind of pencils I use is different, but try some and you will probably find the one you feels most comfortable with and then go with that. And remember to not be afraid of using the eraser!
Lukas Niklasson is the associated editor to the website http://www.autodrawings.net. It is a website that focus on car drawings of all sorts. It get updated regurarly with new drawings and interesting information regarding car artwork.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lukas_Niklasson
Planning Your Layouts With Sketches
Do you use sketches to help you to plan out your layouts?
I find that if I’m struggling with the creative process and just can’t focus on what I want my end result to look like, sketches are an absolute Godsend.
Of course, the doyen of sketches has got to be Becky Higgins. Her books and articles in magazines have really raised the awareness of scrappers to this great scrapping aid. And she creates such fabulous sketches, especially for incorporating multiple photos.
I find sketches especially helpful when I’m doing traditional scrapping. Without the forgiving Undo button of digital scrapping there’s much more importance on having some sort of end vision of your layout to plan and work towards. Even if that vision is fuzzy, having a structure for the elements is something I find enormously helpful.
When I have done large theme albums such as the two 40 page Trip albums I did of my last two overseas trips, I found sketching the framework of each double page spread (and limiting myself to a small number of different colours and patterns) enabled me to pull the albums together quite quickly. I was able to keep focused on the photos, memorabilia and journaling without agonizing over the placement of all the elements. An absolute boon when all you want to do is package up a great looking large project in a relatively short time frame.
And just to make life easier there are a number of great web sites offering free sketches for you to download. Some of my favourites are Page Maps, Pencil Lines and Scrap Maps but of course there are many others and you'll also find some great sketches in the large Scrapping web site forums.
Digital templates are now becoming popular and an extension of the Scrapbook Sketch concept designed specifically for the Digital Scrapbooker. These templates are multi-layered element blocks which the scrapper replaces with the digital papers or elements of their choice using their graphics editing software. Effectively the layout structure and design is provided for you and you choose the colours and patterns you want to use, as well as the photos of course.
Both sketches and digital templates help the busy scrapbooker to complete layouts quicker and easier than starting from scratch but still allow the element of creativity in the process that all scrapbookers seek.
Karen Bellamy is a digital as well as a traditional scrapbooker from Australia. She writes the Scraps of Mind blog which she describes as:A feast of Scrapbooking information and tutorials for both the Digital Scrapbooker and the Traditional Paper Scrapbooker. Seasoned with Antiques & Collectibles, Music inspired, and Blog Presentation articles to add some extra spice. All served up with a light hearted and fun style.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Bellamy
I find that if I’m struggling with the creative process and just can’t focus on what I want my end result to look like, sketches are an absolute Godsend.
Of course, the doyen of sketches has got to be Becky Higgins. Her books and articles in magazines have really raised the awareness of scrappers to this great scrapping aid. And she creates such fabulous sketches, especially for incorporating multiple photos.
I find sketches especially helpful when I’m doing traditional scrapping. Without the forgiving Undo button of digital scrapping there’s much more importance on having some sort of end vision of your layout to plan and work towards. Even if that vision is fuzzy, having a structure for the elements is something I find enormously helpful.
When I have done large theme albums such as the two 40 page Trip albums I did of my last two overseas trips, I found sketching the framework of each double page spread (and limiting myself to a small number of different colours and patterns) enabled me to pull the albums together quite quickly. I was able to keep focused on the photos, memorabilia and journaling without agonizing over the placement of all the elements. An absolute boon when all you want to do is package up a great looking large project in a relatively short time frame.
And just to make life easier there are a number of great web sites offering free sketches for you to download. Some of my favourites are Page Maps, Pencil Lines and Scrap Maps but of course there are many others and you'll also find some great sketches in the large Scrapping web site forums.
Digital templates are now becoming popular and an extension of the Scrapbook Sketch concept designed specifically for the Digital Scrapbooker. These templates are multi-layered element blocks which the scrapper replaces with the digital papers or elements of their choice using their graphics editing software. Effectively the layout structure and design is provided for you and you choose the colours and patterns you want to use, as well as the photos of course.
Both sketches and digital templates help the busy scrapbooker to complete layouts quicker and easier than starting from scratch but still allow the element of creativity in the process that all scrapbookers seek.
Karen Bellamy is a digital as well as a traditional scrapbooker from Australia. She writes the Scraps of Mind blog which she describes as:A feast of Scrapbooking information and tutorials for both the Digital Scrapbooker and the Traditional Paper Scrapbooker. Seasoned with Antiques & Collectibles, Music inspired, and Blog Presentation articles to add some extra spice. All served up with a light hearted and fun style.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Bellamy
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
American Muscle Car Drawings
Eventhough I am from Europe I cannot help but loving the good old muscle cars! I started drawing a few muscle cars a couple of years ago and I love the challenge this drawings gives me! Getting a muscle car drawing right is not always very easy though.
One thing that I often have a hard time while drawing muscle cars is to get the proportions right. These classic car shapes are quite complicated to get right as you might have experienced from drawing them yourself. After many screwed up muscle car sketches I am finally getting the hang of it. My advise is to just focus on the general lines of the shape. And then just try sketching them, and don’t be afraid of redoing it until you are satisfied.
Doing Camaro drawings is always fun, they are quite challenging because of the shape, but the final result is usally worth the extra work put into them. I also enjoy doing Mustang drawings, it is something about the older ones that really scream ”drive me”! To make a good Mustang sketches usually takes me around 5-10 hours to get them to the level Im happy with. While just to sketch the general shape of a mustang shouldn’t take longer than 1-2 hours. Another car I enjoy to draw is Firebirds, they look so aggressive and to get that rawness into the drawing is very challenging but fun!
My best advise on how to improve your car drawings is simply to spend more time on them. For example if you are not fully satisfied with the front lights, don’t just continue with the drawing and hoping that the lights will get better by some magical touch! No, look at the lights and don’t give up on them until you are fully satisfied with them, then move on to the next part of the car drawing.
If you love Muscle Cars you should get your favorite pencil and sit down with a clean sheet of paper and just relax and start sketching your favorite muscle car. Don’t give up to quickly, just focus on the general shape of the outward lines of the car and you will soon see how the sketch is becoming better. Remember patience is the key to success when drawing a muscle car.
Lukas Niklasson is the associated editor to the website http://www.autodrawings.net. It is a website that focus on car drawings of all sorts. It get updated regurarly with new drawings and interesting information regarding car artwork.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lukas_Niklasson
One thing that I often have a hard time while drawing muscle cars is to get the proportions right. These classic car shapes are quite complicated to get right as you might have experienced from drawing them yourself. After many screwed up muscle car sketches I am finally getting the hang of it. My advise is to just focus on the general lines of the shape. And then just try sketching them, and don’t be afraid of redoing it until you are satisfied.
Doing Camaro drawings is always fun, they are quite challenging because of the shape, but the final result is usally worth the extra work put into them. I also enjoy doing Mustang drawings, it is something about the older ones that really scream ”drive me”! To make a good Mustang sketches usually takes me around 5-10 hours to get them to the level Im happy with. While just to sketch the general shape of a mustang shouldn’t take longer than 1-2 hours. Another car I enjoy to draw is Firebirds, they look so aggressive and to get that rawness into the drawing is very challenging but fun!
My best advise on how to improve your car drawings is simply to spend more time on them. For example if you are not fully satisfied with the front lights, don’t just continue with the drawing and hoping that the lights will get better by some magical touch! No, look at the lights and don’t give up on them until you are fully satisfied with them, then move on to the next part of the car drawing.
If you love Muscle Cars you should get your favorite pencil and sit down with a clean sheet of paper and just relax and start sketching your favorite muscle car. Don’t give up to quickly, just focus on the general shape of the outward lines of the car and you will soon see how the sketch is becoming better. Remember patience is the key to success when drawing a muscle car.
Lukas Niklasson is the associated editor to the website http://www.autodrawings.net. It is a website that focus on car drawings of all sorts. It get updated regurarly with new drawings and interesting information regarding car artwork.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lukas_Niklasson
Drawing Tools and Tips for Beginners
Drawing is a relaxing and fun hobby for anyone willing to take the time to learn it, step by step.
Just let yourself go and sketch, concentrating on what you’re drawing. It is important to think positively, and not be too hard on yourself. So many of my students have told me at first, “I can’t draw anything,” or “my drawings are horrible!” but in time, they learned that with practice, their drawings improve. Don’t discourage yourself with negative self-talk. Just do what comes from your heart. One of the great things about art is that there is no right and wrong to it.
You have the creative license to do things your way, with no explanation. Take what you learn and make it your own by seeing what techniques and styles are most rewarding to you. When I was learning to draw, I had many, many lousy drawings. My father, a fantastic artist and architect, taught me to draw from a young age, along with many art courses that I took in school. The more I drew, the more confident I became, and it showed in my work. The same will happen to you. With practice and time, your art will improve more and more. Don’t give up and remember that nobody, no matter how talented or not, learns overnight.
Good starter materials for drawing
A set of pencils, from 6H (very hard lead) all the way down to 6D (very soft lead) An Ebony Pencil (it puts out a very dark graphite line)A knead able eraser (Before using it, knead the heck out of it until it’s very pliable. It is therapeutic to knead these things, when stressed.)A white eraser, meant for artists, a good brand is StaedtlerPad of Strathmore Sketch paper (50 lb paper weight, which means a lightweight paper) or Bond paperGood lighting, such as an arm lamp
Start with the basics
With an HB (not too hard, not too soft) or regular pencil, start practicing sketching objects that aren’t too complicated. I learned with oranges, pears, grapes, bananas and carrots. Draw each one, individually, ten times. Look at the shape and study it. Notice where the stem on it was, and how it rests on the table. Drawing is all about learning how to see objects as accurately as possible. Imagine following the edge of the object with your finger, and draw the silhouette on the paper. Then do it again. The idea is to learn to interpret what you see in three dimension (real life) into a two dimensional drawing (sketch.)
Shading
Put the fruit in a bright window with light coming at it from only one direction, so it casts a shadow on one side. Again, practice drawing each item, this time adding shading. See how different textured surfaces make the lighting a little bit different. For example, notice the skin of an orange as compared to a pear. One is smoother than the other. The shinier and smoother the subject, the more distinct the shading will be on its surface. On a rough object, shadows may be subtly mottled by each indentation or variation in the surface. Whatever the case, practice each fruit ten times again. Then, look at all the drawings you’ve done and notice how the last one is probably much better than the first. That is what practice does, it sharpens your seeing and helps you interpret what you see better on the paper.
Using erasers
When you have a large area to erase, use the white eraser. Erase lightly, in layers. If you erase hard, you may damage the paper. Paper can only handle so much manhandling, so it will start to break down if rubbed too much. To avoid that, use a light touch as you erase, and gently take off the unwanted area with one or two sweeps. If you want to erase a very small area but want to leave the area around it intact, use the knead able eraser. It will allow you to erase areas that the big, white eraser can’t get into. When done, knead the eraser. You can use the same eraser over and over again. To clean graphite off a white eraser, just rub it repeatedly on a piece of scrap paper, to remove the dark graphite residue.
Experiment with different weights of pencils
The hardest pencils (H series) are for lighter colored shading and shadows. The softer pencils (B series) are for darker shading and shadows. The Ebony pencil is great for the darkest parts of shading and shadows. Experiment with them, and get used to using the different weights. After awhile you will become more comfortable switching from one to another. The 6H is the hardest; the 6B is the softest in the series. Try drawing fruit with the hard set, then try the same fruit with the soft set. Use your sharpener to keep the leads at comfortable sharpness for you.
Finally, draw the fruit with both H and B series pencils, paying attention to using the H’s for the object’s lighter areas, and the B’s for its darker ones. Use erasers to add highlights, too or for removing things. Add and subtract. Think of it as kind of drawing with the eraser itself, to create different tones and effects. Do ten of them, and remember to really focus on what you are seeing. Don’t give up, remember, this is a practice exercise, and not meant for hanging on your wall. My practice art stayed hidden in my sketchbook, away from others. You don’t have to make masterpieces, just enjoy what you’re doing and experiment as you learn.
That is my mini drawing course in a nutshell. I have spent my life drawing, learning and trying new techniques and seeing what worked best for me. Believe in yourself. Focus on the object, and don’t expect perfection. Right now is the beginning. Later you can switch to more interesting objects to draw. But, for now, stick with the fruit because they represent basic shapes like circles, crescents, and more. Adding color will come later, too. It’s a lot of lessons all rolled into one, so take your time. You can do it, just believe in yourself. I believe you can do it, too so go for it!
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. Besides handling numerous assignments in the US, she has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann
Just let yourself go and sketch, concentrating on what you’re drawing. It is important to think positively, and not be too hard on yourself. So many of my students have told me at first, “I can’t draw anything,” or “my drawings are horrible!” but in time, they learned that with practice, their drawings improve. Don’t discourage yourself with negative self-talk. Just do what comes from your heart. One of the great things about art is that there is no right and wrong to it.
You have the creative license to do things your way, with no explanation. Take what you learn and make it your own by seeing what techniques and styles are most rewarding to you. When I was learning to draw, I had many, many lousy drawings. My father, a fantastic artist and architect, taught me to draw from a young age, along with many art courses that I took in school. The more I drew, the more confident I became, and it showed in my work. The same will happen to you. With practice and time, your art will improve more and more. Don’t give up and remember that nobody, no matter how talented or not, learns overnight.
Good starter materials for drawing
A set of pencils, from 6H (very hard lead) all the way down to 6D (very soft lead) An Ebony Pencil (it puts out a very dark graphite line)A knead able eraser (Before using it, knead the heck out of it until it’s very pliable. It is therapeutic to knead these things, when stressed.)A white eraser, meant for artists, a good brand is StaedtlerPad of Strathmore Sketch paper (50 lb paper weight, which means a lightweight paper) or Bond paperGood lighting, such as an arm lamp
Start with the basics
With an HB (not too hard, not too soft) or regular pencil, start practicing sketching objects that aren’t too complicated. I learned with oranges, pears, grapes, bananas and carrots. Draw each one, individually, ten times. Look at the shape and study it. Notice where the stem on it was, and how it rests on the table. Drawing is all about learning how to see objects as accurately as possible. Imagine following the edge of the object with your finger, and draw the silhouette on the paper. Then do it again. The idea is to learn to interpret what you see in three dimension (real life) into a two dimensional drawing (sketch.)
Shading
Put the fruit in a bright window with light coming at it from only one direction, so it casts a shadow on one side. Again, practice drawing each item, this time adding shading. See how different textured surfaces make the lighting a little bit different. For example, notice the skin of an orange as compared to a pear. One is smoother than the other. The shinier and smoother the subject, the more distinct the shading will be on its surface. On a rough object, shadows may be subtly mottled by each indentation or variation in the surface. Whatever the case, practice each fruit ten times again. Then, look at all the drawings you’ve done and notice how the last one is probably much better than the first. That is what practice does, it sharpens your seeing and helps you interpret what you see better on the paper.
Using erasers
When you have a large area to erase, use the white eraser. Erase lightly, in layers. If you erase hard, you may damage the paper. Paper can only handle so much manhandling, so it will start to break down if rubbed too much. To avoid that, use a light touch as you erase, and gently take off the unwanted area with one or two sweeps. If you want to erase a very small area but want to leave the area around it intact, use the knead able eraser. It will allow you to erase areas that the big, white eraser can’t get into. When done, knead the eraser. You can use the same eraser over and over again. To clean graphite off a white eraser, just rub it repeatedly on a piece of scrap paper, to remove the dark graphite residue.
Experiment with different weights of pencils
The hardest pencils (H series) are for lighter colored shading and shadows. The softer pencils (B series) are for darker shading and shadows. The Ebony pencil is great for the darkest parts of shading and shadows. Experiment with them, and get used to using the different weights. After awhile you will become more comfortable switching from one to another. The 6H is the hardest; the 6B is the softest in the series. Try drawing fruit with the hard set, then try the same fruit with the soft set. Use your sharpener to keep the leads at comfortable sharpness for you.
Finally, draw the fruit with both H and B series pencils, paying attention to using the H’s for the object’s lighter areas, and the B’s for its darker ones. Use erasers to add highlights, too or for removing things. Add and subtract. Think of it as kind of drawing with the eraser itself, to create different tones and effects. Do ten of them, and remember to really focus on what you are seeing. Don’t give up, remember, this is a practice exercise, and not meant for hanging on your wall. My practice art stayed hidden in my sketchbook, away from others. You don’t have to make masterpieces, just enjoy what you’re doing and experiment as you learn.
That is my mini drawing course in a nutshell. I have spent my life drawing, learning and trying new techniques and seeing what worked best for me. Believe in yourself. Focus on the object, and don’t expect perfection. Right now is the beginning. Later you can switch to more interesting objects to draw. But, for now, stick with the fruit because they represent basic shapes like circles, crescents, and more. Adding color will come later, too. It’s a lot of lessons all rolled into one, so take your time. You can do it, just believe in yourself. I believe you can do it, too so go for it!
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. Besides handling numerous assignments in the US, she has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann
Why Sketching?
The trends of Art over the past few years are highly focus on colours,style, expression, composition and speed. These features are responses to new means of drawing and a reflection of our contemporary lifestyle. Many young artists have started doing abstract art without mastering the basic design education and drawing technique.
To me, sketching is the fundamental skill of a designer or Artist. A good foundation in the technique of pencil sketching is important if anyone wish to become a master painter one day.
Sketching is about learning the technique of eye-hand coordination- to see, observe and then record. Pencil becomes the medium through which images are transferred and recorded. A pencil is the physical link between the eyes, the mind and the hand.
The real understanding of sketching goes beyond the ‘handling’ of pencils and accessories. It is the training of the eyes and the mind to see things creatively. It is about how to isolate things from a complex visual field. It is about emotions and feelings that the artist developed with the object in sight.
A good example of a master draughtsman is Raphael (Raffaelo Sanzio)(1483-1520). His exquisitely flowing lines show his mastery as a draughtsman. It is especially apparent in his sketches for 'Madonna and Child' where he used few lines to show form, movement and even the emotional quality of the figures he drew.
Knowledge and skills picked up from pencil sketching are immeasurable and permanent. Learn the art of drawing by observing and sketching the world around you with great accuracy.
William Tan is a writer and artist from http://www.william-tan.com which specialises in art investment, art therapy and art techniques. Please visit our site to learn more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tan_Ruixiang_William
To me, sketching is the fundamental skill of a designer or Artist. A good foundation in the technique of pencil sketching is important if anyone wish to become a master painter one day.
Sketching is about learning the technique of eye-hand coordination- to see, observe and then record. Pencil becomes the medium through which images are transferred and recorded. A pencil is the physical link between the eyes, the mind and the hand.
The real understanding of sketching goes beyond the ‘handling’ of pencils and accessories. It is the training of the eyes and the mind to see things creatively. It is about how to isolate things from a complex visual field. It is about emotions and feelings that the artist developed with the object in sight.
A good example of a master draughtsman is Raphael (Raffaelo Sanzio)(1483-1520). His exquisitely flowing lines show his mastery as a draughtsman. It is especially apparent in his sketches for 'Madonna and Child' where he used few lines to show form, movement and even the emotional quality of the figures he drew.
Knowledge and skills picked up from pencil sketching are immeasurable and permanent. Learn the art of drawing by observing and sketching the world around you with great accuracy.
William Tan is a writer and artist from http://www.william-tan.com which specialises in art investment, art therapy and art techniques. Please visit our site to learn more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tan_Ruixiang_William
A Feature To Use In Pencil Drawings
Here's something different to try when you start your next pencil drawing.
Have you heard of frottage? It is the act of rubbing to create a texture.
So, if I placed paper over a coin and rubbed my pencil over the impression, I would have a frottage. Some people refer to it as "rubbings." It is similar to an embossing technique because you can create a 3D design on a 2D surface.
Kick start this little venture by collecting various items with different textures. That would be things like bits of wood, leaves or scraps of lace. Anything that sits reasonably flat under your paper. A 2B pencil is probably the best grade pencil to start with.
Let's try a piece of wood, first. I think wood has the most interesting texture of all. Then again, I haven't finished my search yet so that could be a broad statement. I'd love to hear from you if you discover something really good.
Rub the side of your pencil over the paper, where the wood is sitting beneath it. Watch the pattern emerging on your paper. Now, rub in a different direction. Notice that you end up with a different pattern.
Isn't it fascinating?
Do an experiment and feel the object you are about to rub. Imagine what pattern you think will emerge. Now, rub over it. It looks nothing like you thought, does it? The lights and darks look fabulous, as well.
Go ahead and test every different grade of pencil using different directions. It would be advisable to use plain copying paper. Frottage wouldn't work to its fullest potential if you have thick paper.
Look at your paper where you've tried all the different items you've rubbed. You can see all sorts of images and formations - just like when you look at clouds.
Do a landscape sketch and use frottage to give different objects an interesting look. Even if you use wood to do the trunk of a tree, it would look very intriguing. I don't recommend that you be so predictable but it would be a good starting place. Once you get the hang of it, you don't have to limit yourself that way.
The sky is the limit with this feature. Enjoy experimenting with this little project.
Author Kerry Godsall is the webmaster at http://www.allaboutdrawings.com where you'll find plenty of easy pencil drawings to copy. If you want more ideas and drawing tips, you can have access to these when you sign up for the free newsletter
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kerry_Godsall
Have you heard of frottage? It is the act of rubbing to create a texture.
So, if I placed paper over a coin and rubbed my pencil over the impression, I would have a frottage. Some people refer to it as "rubbings." It is similar to an embossing technique because you can create a 3D design on a 2D surface.
Kick start this little venture by collecting various items with different textures. That would be things like bits of wood, leaves or scraps of lace. Anything that sits reasonably flat under your paper. A 2B pencil is probably the best grade pencil to start with.
Let's try a piece of wood, first. I think wood has the most interesting texture of all. Then again, I haven't finished my search yet so that could be a broad statement. I'd love to hear from you if you discover something really good.
Rub the side of your pencil over the paper, where the wood is sitting beneath it. Watch the pattern emerging on your paper. Now, rub in a different direction. Notice that you end up with a different pattern.
Isn't it fascinating?
Do an experiment and feel the object you are about to rub. Imagine what pattern you think will emerge. Now, rub over it. It looks nothing like you thought, does it? The lights and darks look fabulous, as well.
Go ahead and test every different grade of pencil using different directions. It would be advisable to use plain copying paper. Frottage wouldn't work to its fullest potential if you have thick paper.
Look at your paper where you've tried all the different items you've rubbed. You can see all sorts of images and formations - just like when you look at clouds.
Do a landscape sketch and use frottage to give different objects an interesting look. Even if you use wood to do the trunk of a tree, it would look very intriguing. I don't recommend that you be so predictable but it would be a good starting place. Once you get the hang of it, you don't have to limit yourself that way.
The sky is the limit with this feature. Enjoy experimenting with this little project.
Author Kerry Godsall is the webmaster at http://www.allaboutdrawings.com where you'll find plenty of easy pencil drawings to copy. If you want more ideas and drawing tips, you can have access to these when you sign up for the free newsletter
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kerry_Godsall
How to Make Your Pencil Drawings More Effective
Most children feel that they can draw wonderful pencil drawings and most adults think they don’t know how to draw at all. Or an adult will say, “I used to draw great when I was a kid, but I could not make good pencil drawings when I got older.”
We all used lead pencils, colored pencils, chalk, and crayon when we were small children, but somehow most of us left them behind around the time we received our first pen.
Did you ever consider that perhaps you think you can’t draw simply because you haven’t used a pencil in years and are out of practice? Or maybe you’ve lost that child’s ability to draw what you actually see rather than what you expect to see?
It’s true that naturally artistically talented individuals will excel in pencil art as well as in watercolor, pastels, acrylic, or oil, but it is also true that anyone can become competent enough to produce an accurate pencil portrait.
Most of us had some training as children in the art of drawing. Unless you showed exceptional artistic talent as a child and pursued an education in art, your instruction in drawing probably ended by secondary school. What if your literature training had stopped at children’s rhymes, history at the Industrial Revolution, or geography lessons were suspended just when the New World was discovered?
The good news is it’s never too late to restart your drawing education. All it takes is five simple assumptions:
You can draw. You can make a dot, a square, a circle, a triangle, a straight line, a curved line. Everything in nature consists of geometric forms and lines, in infinite combinations and formations. You were born with the ability to mimic these forms, so it’s just a matter of practice to be able to reproduce and control them.
You are drawing for yourself alone. Drawing is an educational process, like reading, writing, or studying history. It’s a tool of discovery that every thinking person should strive for competency in. You are ready to open your mind. See things like a child sees them for the first time. Admit to yourself that you’ve forgotten how to look and open your mind to seeing what’s really there and not what your brain has conditioned you to see.
You will suspend criticism and judgment of yourself. Be ready to loosen up, make messes, experiment with drawing materials and get your hands dirty. Forget the terms “artistic”, “good”, “bad”, “talent”.
You are ready to take instruction. The art of drawing is ancient and there are elementary techniques and principles which are easy to learn. Be open to training and be ready for lots of practice. Learn from books, drawing classes, or take private lessons.
Mastering the skills to produce competent pencil sketches and pencil portraits will give you a fresh appreciation of the pencil art of the masters. Visit a museum or gallery, or study the pencil drawings of famous artists in art books. Frame a few reproductions and surround yourself and your family with these inspirations.
Turn a favorite family photograph into a pencil portrait as a way of looking at it with fresh eyes. An inexpensive way to acquire a pencil portrait or pencil drawing of any black and white or color photograph is to commission one from face painting designs website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Kostiner
We all used lead pencils, colored pencils, chalk, and crayon when we were small children, but somehow most of us left them behind around the time we received our first pen.
Did you ever consider that perhaps you think you can’t draw simply because you haven’t used a pencil in years and are out of practice? Or maybe you’ve lost that child’s ability to draw what you actually see rather than what you expect to see?
It’s true that naturally artistically talented individuals will excel in pencil art as well as in watercolor, pastels, acrylic, or oil, but it is also true that anyone can become competent enough to produce an accurate pencil portrait.
Most of us had some training as children in the art of drawing. Unless you showed exceptional artistic talent as a child and pursued an education in art, your instruction in drawing probably ended by secondary school. What if your literature training had stopped at children’s rhymes, history at the Industrial Revolution, or geography lessons were suspended just when the New World was discovered?
The good news is it’s never too late to restart your drawing education. All it takes is five simple assumptions:
You can draw. You can make a dot, a square, a circle, a triangle, a straight line, a curved line. Everything in nature consists of geometric forms and lines, in infinite combinations and formations. You were born with the ability to mimic these forms, so it’s just a matter of practice to be able to reproduce and control them.
You are drawing for yourself alone. Drawing is an educational process, like reading, writing, or studying history. It’s a tool of discovery that every thinking person should strive for competency in. You are ready to open your mind. See things like a child sees them for the first time. Admit to yourself that you’ve forgotten how to look and open your mind to seeing what’s really there and not what your brain has conditioned you to see.
You will suspend criticism and judgment of yourself. Be ready to loosen up, make messes, experiment with drawing materials and get your hands dirty. Forget the terms “artistic”, “good”, “bad”, “talent”.
You are ready to take instruction. The art of drawing is ancient and there are elementary techniques and principles which are easy to learn. Be open to training and be ready for lots of practice. Learn from books, drawing classes, or take private lessons.
Mastering the skills to produce competent pencil sketches and pencil portraits will give you a fresh appreciation of the pencil art of the masters. Visit a museum or gallery, or study the pencil drawings of famous artists in art books. Frame a few reproductions and surround yourself and your family with these inspirations.
Turn a favorite family photograph into a pencil portrait as a way of looking at it with fresh eyes. An inexpensive way to acquire a pencil portrait or pencil drawing of any black and white or color photograph is to commission one from face painting designs website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Kostiner
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